The Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson told Newsweek that the partial withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip could considerably alleviate economic burdens and aims to ensure planning and combat readiness to continue operations throughout the current year.
Israeli media have reported that the withdrawal from the northern area is ongoing, with a reduction in the scale of combat expected, and further troop discharges to come in the following days.
The reports added that the 98th Division leads seven brigades in the Khan Younis sector to locate prisoners and eliminate the leadership of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), as well as to destroy military infrastructure.
It was also mentioned that changes in the nature of combat are occurring despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to discuss the day after, for "political reasons," as he claims.
The media added that the military is interested in transitioning to the next and more precise phase, which involves pulling army forces from within the Strip, and future movements toward targets from within Israeli territory, not from within the Strip—to prevent them from becoming a target for armed cells.
Israeli Army Radio reported yesterday, Sunday, that the army decided to release five brigades from Gaza, including the 551 and 14 reserve brigades, in addition to three training brigades.
